Spin dry online

Students in the US need never worry that someone is interfering with their wash after the launch of a cyberlaundry service. The eSuds system uses washers and dryers linked to the internet to allow students to keep an eye on their laundry by accessing the web.

Whether they are in their rooms, the library or using their mobile phone, students can log on to a webpage to see if there are free machines and receive an email or be paged when the load has finished. The system can also automatically charge students using the machines through their ID cards. About 9,000 of the smart machines - developed by IBM and Big Blue - are to be installed on 40 campuses across the US.